We say

It's all about the view at YHA Windermere and it doesn't disappoint. The elegant old hillside mansion, situated a couple of miles up from England's largest lake, boasts stunning views down to the water and across the encroaching fells. Sunsets (and dark skies) from the terrace are magical, while there are four acres of wooded grounds to explore – hard to believe you get all this at budget YHA rates, because it's the sort of location and outlook that commands big bucks elsewhere in the Lakes.

It's been nicely converted inside, with plenty of reminders of the house's heritage in the public spaces and lounges. Big windows in the dining room look down to Windermere, and plenty of the rooms have the all-important views too. There are 69 beds in total, most in reasonably sized four-bedded rooms, as well as a decent self-catering kitchen, a bar that stays open from 3pm, and meals available from a daily changing menu.

Meanwhile, the grounds not only house some colourful tipis (each sleeping four people on mattresses) but also boasts probably the Lake District's most panoramic campsite. You can pitch in the field or up by the woods, but either way you're going to wake up to the lake in all its glory, which takes some beating. Tipi guests and campers have the use of a separate building containing loos, hot showers and kitchen-diner – all cleaned daily – or you can use the bar, kitchen, lounge and all the other facilities in the hostel itself. It's a really nice set-up – giving you the best of both worlds really – and camping numbers are limited so the site never feels too crowded.

As a budget base for Windermere the YHA is brilliant – though note that it's up near Troutbeck village, not Windermere itself. There's a pub a mile up the road and another a mile down the road, while the friendly staff can fill you in on all the local walks including the fabulous 9-mile circuit over Wansfell Pike to Ambleside and back – they even have a printed walk map for this, so there's no excuse!

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Sleeps

69 beds in total, most in four-bedded rooms, plus camping and glamping (in tipis) in the grounds outside.

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How much?

Dormitory beds from £10 a night, private rooms from £39, family rooms from £29; camping from £8 per person, tipis £49–£99 a night.

Facilities

Bar

Café

Camping Available

Dining area

Dogs Welcome

Drying room

Family rooms

Gardens & Grounds

Glamping available

Kitchen

Parking

Private Rooms

TVs with Freeview

Washer/Dryer

Wifi

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Activities

Budget

Countryside

Exclusive hire

Family-Friendly

Groups Welcome

Hills & Mountains

Sensational Views

Walking

YHA hostels

Getting There

Driving from the north, leave the M6 at junctions 36, 37 or 38 and follow the signs to Troutbeck Bridge. After the filling station, take the first turning on the right – the hostel is well signedposted, one mile up Bridge Lane.

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